An entrepreneur and business magnate, Phil Knight is a prominent figure in the American business world. As one of the co-founders of Nike Inc., he holds a significant ownership stake in the global sports shoe giant, accounting for approximately 24 per cent of its value. In addition to his business ventures, Knight is an avid sports enthusiast who sponsors teams and enjoys watching games. He has held several key positions at Nike, including chairman and CEO.
In 1997, along with Geoff Hollister and Bowerman, he founded the Athletics West American running team because of his love for sports. As a donor, he has contributed millions of dollars to the Oregon Health and Science Cancer Center. Moreover, he also owns a stop-motion picture production company.
Phil Knight Biography
| Celebrated Name: | Phil Knight |
|---|---|
| Real Name/Full Name: | Philip Hampson “Phil” Knight |
| Gender: | Male |
| Age: | 84 years old |
| Birth Date: | February 24 1938 |
| Birth Place: | Portland, Oregon, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 1.76 m |
| Weight: | 82 kg |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Wife/Spouse (Name): | Penny Knight (m. 1968) |
| Children: | Yes (Travis Knight, Christina Knight, Matthew Knight) |
| Dating/Girlfriend (Name): |
N/A |
| Profession: | American business magnate and philanthropist |
| Net Worth in 2023: | $40 billion |
Phil Hampson Knight was born in the East Moreland neighbourhood of Portland, Oregon, on February 24, 1938, to William Knight and Lota Hartfield Knight. It’s worth noting that his father was a newspaper publisher.
After completing his primary education, he enrolled at Cleveland High School. Later, he pursued his graduate studies at the University of Oregon in Eugene, where he got the opportunity to work as a sports reporter and developed his interest in journalism. In 1959, he graduated from the university. Despite his passion for working at his father’s publication, he respected his father’s wishes and started working for the Oregonian newspaper.
He tied the knot with Penelope Penny on September 13, 1968. The couple was blessed with three children: Travis Knight, Christina Knight, and Mathew Knight.
Phil Knight Education
Phil Knight attended Cleveland High School before obtaining his Bachelor of Science in journalism from the University of Oregon. He continued his education at Stanford Graduate School of Business,, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. It was during his time at Stanford that Knight conceptualized the idea of importing Japanese running shoes to the United States, which would eventually become the foundation for Nike, Inc.
Phil Knight Parents
Phil Knight was raised in Portland, Oregon, where he was born to Bill Knight, a newspaper publisher and a lawyer, and Lota Knight, a homemaker. He grew up in a family of five children, and as the middle child, he learned the values of hard work and determination from his parents. These values were instrumental in helping him achieve success as an entrepreneur.
Phil Knight Siblings
Joanne Knight and Jeanne Knight are the two sisters of Knight.
Phil Knight Young
Born in Portland, Oregon, on February 24, 1938, Knight spent his childhood in the same area and attended Cleveland High School. He later pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism at the University of Oregon, where he discovered his passion for running while being a member of the university’s track team.
Following graduating from college, Knight pursued further studies at Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he earned an MBA degree. At Stanford, he conceived importing Japanese running shoes to the US, which later blossomed into the iconic Nike, Inc.
Phil Knight’s Age, Height, Weight
Born on February 24, 1938, Phil Knight is 84 years old as of 2023. He measures 1.76 meters in height and weighs 82 kilograms.
Career
After completing his degree at Oregon University, Phil Knight joined the military and served one year of active duty and seven years in the army reserves. Following his military service, he was accepted into Stanford Business School. Phil was a certified public accountant at Price Waterhouse before joining Cooper & Lybrand.
On January 25, 1964, Nike’s founder and product design contributor Bowerman established Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS). Initially, the company relied on sales from Plymouth Valiant vehicles. Thanks to these sales, he was able to work full-time at BRS. Later, in 1978, he took the advice to rebrand BRS as Nike and officially founded the company under this new name.
In 1998, Knight obtained a small portion of Vinton Studios’ stock. He went on to purchase Will Vinton Studios, which Nike previously owned. Three years later, in 2003, Knight appointed Travis Knight to the board of the studios, which were rebranded as “Laika.” Additionally, Travis was named the CEO and President of the company.
In November 2004, Knight stepped down as Nike’s CEO after losing his son, Matthew Knight. Despite this, he remained as the chairman of the board. William Perez filled his position as CEO, who Mark Parker later succeeded.
In 2006, The Knight Management Center came into existence after the generous donation of $105 million from the renowned philanthropist Knight. The Stanford Graduate School of Business renamed the centre after him with immense pride. Later, in June 2015, Knight announced stepping down from his role as the chairman of Nike.
Recognition & Achievements
In 2000, Phil Knight was recognized for his remarkable contributions to sports and was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. The NBA Coach Foundation also acknowledged his outstanding achievements in 2011 when he was awarded the Court of Honor Gala.
Phil Knight’s Net Worth In 2023
According to Forbes magazine, the estimated net worth of Phil Knight as of October 2023 is around $28 billion. Phil Knight, a sports enthusiast and sponsor, co-founded “Nike” and has an estimated net worth of $40 billion. He established his business, BRS, in 1964,, later known as Nike in 1978. Despite leaving Nike, Phil Knight shows no signs of slowing down, even at his age.
Phil Knight Nike
Phil Knight is a renowned figure for co-founding Nike, Inc., a leading global supplier of athletic shoes and apparel. Knight established the company in 1964 under the name Blue Ribbon Sports with his former track coach Bill Bowerman. It later became Nike, Inc., and with Knight’s exceptional leadership, it transformed from a small start-up to a massive corporation that generated billions in revenue. Knight served as the CEO of Nike from 1964 to 2004 and as chairman from 1984 to 2016.
He is widely recognized for revolutionizing the athletic footwear industry and transforming Nike into one of the most successful and recognizable brands globally. Despite stepping down as chairman, Knight remains on the board of directors and actively participates in Nike’s growth.
Phil Knight Tournament
The Phil Knight Invitational, also known as the Phil Knight Legacy Tournament, is a highly anticipated annual college basketball tournament in late November or early December. The game was initially created by Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike, to showcase top college basketball teams and provide thrilling, high-level matches for fans.
Typically, the tournament features eight to twelve teams and spans over three days, with games being played at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. Over the years, the PKI has become one of the most prestigious early-season tournaments in college basketball, attracting the best-ranked teams and drawing in large crowds to witness the games. It’s worth noting that the tournament is named in honour of Phil Knight, who co-founded Nike and has been a highly influential figure in the world of sports.
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